sn.35.114 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Mara’s(1)

“Bhikkhus, there are forms cognizable by the eye that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, sensually enticing, tantalizing. If a bhikkhu seeks delight in them, welcomes them, and remains holding to them, he is called a bhikkhu who has entered Mara’s lair, who has come under Mara’s control; Mara’s snare has been fastened to him so that he is bound by the bondage of Mara and the Evil One can do with him as he wishes.

“There are, bhikkhus, sounds cognizable by the ear … mental phenomena cognizable by the mind that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, sensually enticing, tantalizing. If a bhikkhu seeks delight in them … … the Evil One can do with him as he wishes.

“There are, bhikkhus, forms cognizable by the eye that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, sensually enticing, tantalizing. If a bhikkhu does not seek delight in them, does not welcome them, and does not remain holding to them, he is called a bhikkhu who has not entered Mara’s lair, who has not come under Mara’s control; Mara’s snare has been unfastened from him so that he is not bound by the bondage of Mara and the Evil One cannot do with him as he wishes.

“There are, bhikkhus, sounds cognizable by the ear … mental phenomena cognizable by the mind that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, sensually enticing, tantalizing. If a bhikkhu does not seek delight in them … the Evil One cannot do with him as he wishes.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Māra’s Snare (1st)

“Mendicants, there are sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keeps clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant trapped in Māra’s lair, fallen under Māra’s sway, and caught in Māra’s snare.
They’re bound by Māra’s bonds, and the Wicked One can do with them what he wants.
There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …


There are thoughts known by the mind that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant approves, welcomes, and keep clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant trapped in Māra’s lair, fallen under Māra’s sway, and caught in Māra’s snare.
They’re bound by Māra, and the Wicked One can do with them what he wants.
There are sights known by the eye that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant not trapped in Māra’s lair, not fallen under Māra’s sway, and released from Māra’s snare.
They’re free from Māra’s bonds, and the Wicked One cannot do with them what he wants.
There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …


There are thoughts known by the mind that are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.
If a mendicant doesn’t approve, welcome, and keep clinging to them,
they’re called a mendicant not trapped in Māra’s lair, not fallen under Māra’s sway, and released from Māra’s snare.
They’re free from Māra’s bonds, and the Wicked One cannot do with them what he wants.”